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Hawaii lawmaker fights against sex ed program

A Republican lawmaker says Hawaii's Department of Education is being secretive about its sex education program.

State Rep. Bob McDermott is taking issue with the Pono Choices curriculum being developed by the Department of Education. He said Monday it sexualizes the innocent by teaching 11-year-old children about anal sex.

But department spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz says a group of educators, parents, religious leaders and health professionals are evaluating the curriculum's appropriateness. She says meetings were closed to the public so the group can focus on its work.

McDermott says the public does not want the Pono Choices program because it's too controversial.

Dela Cruz says many critics of Pono Choices have never looked at the curriculum. She says the working group will release a report next month on its findings.

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